VIDEO: Rob Mariano Is The Newest Survivor
May 16 2011, Published 7:45 a.m. ET
On his fourth try, Rob "Boston" Mariano got redemption in the form of $1 million.
The 35-year-old -- who'd been on the show's Marquesas, All-Stars and Heroes vs. Villains editions -- won Survivor: Redemption Island on Sunday night, capturing the reality TV title after receiving eight votes from the nine-person voter panel.
Mariano edged ex-federal agent Phillip Sheppard, 52, and dancer Natalie Tenerelli, 19, for the honors in the show's 22nd cycle.
"You don't know for sure until the votes are read, but I had a pretty good feeling," Mariano told reporters after the broadcast. "I played my heart out. I love this game, but you've got to get lucky along the way, too.
"I know what it takes. It's really, really difficult. I'm really, really happy things happened the way they did this time."
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
Host Jeff Probst said that this fall's edition of the show -- the 23rd contest, overall -- will spotlight 16 new castaways and two veteran players.
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